Alexandr Volkonsky

Prince Alexandr Mikhailovich Volkonsky (Russian: Александр Михайлович Волконский, April 25, 1866, St. Petersburg Governorate – 18 October 1934, Rome) was Russian military diplomat, writer, and a Catholic priest of the Byzantine rite.

Graduate of St. Petersburg University. From 1889 he served as a volunteer at the Life Guard Cavalry Regiment. From June 1890 - non-commissioned officer, with November 1890 - estandart-cadet. Passed the exam at the Nicholas Cavalry and Constantine Military School (1890). In 1890 made a cornet, 30 August 1894 - a lieutenant.

He graduated from the two-year course at the Nicholas General Staff Academy (1896).

In 1895 he served in the Russian embassy to Persia, in 1897 he was posted to Beijing. He wrote a secret memo "On the need to strengthen our strategic position in the Far East", which pointed to inevitability of military conflict with Japan and the unpreparedness of Russia to such conflict.

In 1898 he was sent to Turkestan, taking part in the work of the Committee on measures of prevention of plague.

Promoted to Captain in May 1900. He participated in the Chinese campaign of 1900-1901 as a staff officer. In September 1901 - October 1902 Volkonsky commanded 3rd Squadron of the Sumy Dragoons regiment.

In years 1902-1906 he served in the General Staff in St. Petersburg. He published several articles and books on the current military situation.

In February 1908 Volkonsky was appointed Russian military attache in Italy. Promoted to the rank of colonel in April 1908.

Aide-de-camp of Emperor Nicholas II . In 1912 he had to resign for political reasons.

During the First World War he returned to the active service with the rank of colonel. In 1915-1917 he was again appointed Russian military attache to Rome.

After the Bolshevik revolution he remained in Italy in exile. Maintained close ties with General Pyotr Wrangel. He authored several works, directed against the Ukrainian separatist movement, among them "The Ukraine question : The historic truth versus the separatist propaganda" (1920), published in Russian, English and French.

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